History said Cruz Azul would handle Toluca. That was doubly true at home. And yet Toluca went to Estadio Azul in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final and walked away with a scoreless draw.
Toluca vs. Cruz Azul, 2014 CONCACAF Champions League final: Preview, TV schedule and how to watch online
The CONCACAF title is on the line.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Now it's Toluca who have the upperhand. They return home to La Bombonera knowing that one win in front of their own fans will earn them the crown of CONCACAF's best. And not only does that mean a trophy and bragging rights, but also a berth into the Club World Cup.
Cruz Azul are hardly dead going into the second leg. They were the better side for much of the first 90 minutes, creating chances and keeping the ball, only to be deterred by some excellent last-minute defending and bad luck. Cruz Azul have been good away in the Clausura too, taking 17 points from nine matches in Liga MX. Moreover, they have as many goals away as they do at home, so it’s tough to imagine them sitting back at La Bombonera.
And if Toluca were criticized for sitting back in the first leg, they won’t at home. They have been much more attacking at La Bombonera this season and especially in the Champions League where they have scored 11 goals in four home matches.
We know the CONCACAF title will stay in Mexico, where every Champions League championship has been, but will it be Cruz Azul or Toluca? There will be 90 minutes to decide it.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET
Venue: La Bombonera, Toluca, Mexico
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. English), UniMas (U.S. Spanish)
Online: Fox Sports 2Go
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